A hospital nursing assistant was jailed for a “gross breach of trust” after stealing from a co-worker and a vulnerable patient.

Thomas Davies, 32, pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to seven offences relating to the theft of bank cards and cash, and of conspiracy to defraud. The total value of the thefts amounted to more than £5,000.

The court heard that Davies, of Brook Hey Drive, Kirkby, was employed as a nursing assistant at a ward for in-patients with mental health issues at Aintree Hospital in Fazakerley. He was employed by Mersey Care NHS Trust and not Aintree Hospital

On one occasion, Davies stole £638 from a staff colleague after accessing her PIN number which she had inadvertently brought into work, and then her bank card. He put the items back before the victim realised they were missing, and the theft only came to light when the victim tried to use the card and it was refused because there were insufficient funds in her account.

On the second occasion, Davies stole nearly £4,500 from a vulnerable patient with acute mental health problems by getting hold of two of his debit cards and using them over a period of three weeks. The patient only became aware of the theft when he realised his bank balance was significantly reduced.

Davies initially denied any involvement in the thefts, before later pleaded guilty.

Ken Heckle, defending, said Davies had brought embarrassment and shame on both his own family and that of his wife, who was also employed at the hospital as a ward sister.

Mr Heckle said Davies had succumbed to serious offending because of debts caused by a gambling problem.

Sentencing Davies, the judge, Recorder Rachel Smith, said: “This was a gross breach of trust in respect of a highly vulnerable individual and it is difficult to imagine how much worse this offending could be in respect of that.

“It must be understood that if those who care for the vulnerable commit offences such as this, occasioning significant financial loss, they face jail.”